I liked this from page one. Miri and Fen are initially wary of each other, but that changes very quickly, partly because they find the local school as unappetizing as dirty socks. Both have unusual passions that the other respects. For Fen, it's creating natural sound mixes, for Miri, it's rebuilding motorcycles from pieces bought or recycled. While their attraction grows, Clay, who Miri sees as an older brother, struggles with his feelings for her, his connection to her dad Poe (Clay sees him as a father figure) and his humiliating reputation among other people living on the 'knobs' as the remote Kentucky hills are called. Clay's crack addict mother is serving an extended stay in prison, but often lives in his head.
Meanwhile, there are other games afoot involving crystal meth and the governments' efforts to bust the manufacturers. Just when you think you have all the puzzle pieces in place, the author strides up and kicks them off the card table, but does it in a way that makes you shake your head and give a thumbs up. Now I want to read her earlier books. ( )